By Sheldon Spackman

Dozens rappel down Stantec Executive Place in support of Make a Wish Foundation

Jul 22, 2018 | 12:22 PM

Dozens of Red Deerians set their fears aside on Saturday to rappel 12 stories down the side of Stantec Executive Place downtown, all in support of children with critical illnesses.

The second annual Rope for Hope Red Deer aims to raise $73,400 for Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta, with over $60,000 or 80 per cent of that being raised so far.

Jennifer Garden, Development and Events Coordinator for Make-A-Wish Northern Alberta says that will help them grant wishes to six children dealing with life-threatening medical conditions.

“The event all over Canada has raised over $1.1 million for wishes across Canada,” states Garden. “A wish is a chance for a child for a reprieve from their medical treatments. It’s a chance for a family to be a family again, for siblings to play together outside of a hospital room. It’s a chance to just forget that they’re sick and just have some fun and create really wonderful memories.”  

Red Deer Schools

RDPSD honoured with two BRAVO! Awards for excellence in communications

1h ago

monique lagrange

Judge rules against former Red Deer Catholic school trustee on first part of judicial review

1h ago

18-month suspended sentence

ASIRT: Officer's actions justified during Ponoka shooting in early 2022

3h ago

Garden acknowledges outstanding support from the community and the event’s sponsors that help make it a success.

“Also our donors who allowed us to get to that $60,000, it’s really amazing and we’re so incredibly grateful to everyone who participated and supported their rappeler,” she adds. “We also have an 83 year-old man (Joe Hittel), he is rappelling as a leprechaun today and he is our top fundraiser. He is just shy of $14,000. He is the number two fundraiser in all of Canada.”   

Rappeler Rene Rondeau admits the task was a little bit scary at first but became easier as he continued his descent down the building.

“It was actually quite fun,” says Rondeau. “Going up there and the guys says ‘Back up further, back up further’ and you’re not looking, you’re just backing up off the edge and you realize, ‘O.K., here it goes.’ Do it, you’re making a difference in somebody’s life.”  

Fellow rappeler  Courtnery Avram says the experience was a white knuckled adrenaline rush.

“Thinking of what those kids go through on a daily basis, that was really a walk in the park probably in comparison,” adds Avram. “I would highlight encourage people to do this because it was tons and tons of fun.”

Make-A-Wish family Dan and Kelli Leblanc say their 4-year-old daughter Kate was born with Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a very severe heart issue that required surgery seven days after Kate was born, followed by a five-month stay at the Stollery Children’s Hospital.

“She had two major heart surgeries in that time and their plan is to do another one,” says mom Kelli.

Make-A-Wish however has allowed Kate’s wish to go to Disney World in Orlando, Florida come true this past March according to Kelli.

“It was an amazing time, a real blessing,” she exclaims. “It was a good thing that happened after going through a lot of negative things.”

Husband Dan agrees it was a wonderful experience.

“I encourage everyone to donate to Make-A-Wish.”

Rope for Hope Red Deer raised over $63,000 in 2017.

Click here to contribute.